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I practice 4-5 classes each week. I do very solo practice, maybe once every two weeks with a bokken for about an hour. However I do lots of activities when I'm not training that promote better Aikido. Strength training, distance running for endurance, chopping wood, boxing. Anything physical that breaks a sweat and involves large motions.

That's really inspiring. May I ask what you do in Japan ? Are you there specifically to train ?

It's one of the main reasons I returned but if it was just to train I would live next to the Honbu dojo where they have multiple classes every day. Did that for three months a few summers ago - exhausting.

Right now I'ld like to do more but know the balance is about right for me.

During the semester (before this semester went crazy) I was training 5 times a week, 4 were 2 hour classes, and one was a 2 hour open mat. Since college is out and I'm home, I haven't found a dojo yet, but I'm practicing rolling, and doing some bokken work, as well as a bit of "ghost waza", as Peter put, it in my backyard.

Right now I'ld like to do more but know the balance is about right for me.

I think this is very important.

There was a period where I was on the mat 5-7 days a week. I ended up suffering burnout and almost quit. My body and brain didn't have time to assimilate what I was learning so I ended up going through the motions with nothing behind them. Since then I've found my balance. Tue and Thu I do 1.5 hours as a student then 1.5 hours as instructor in the next town over. Of course I usually end up staying late in the class I teach so it can get pretty late (the longest I've stayed after is about 5.5 hours ) Recently I've also begun 2 hours of iaido on Wed. nights.

I don't really do any physical training outside the dojo. I read about MA and have long conversations with other students and instructors. I find it more beneficial to just keep it in my mind when I'm not on the mat.

Bronson

"A pacifist is not really a pacifist if he is unable to make a choice between violence and non-violence. A true pacifist is able to kill or maim in the blink of an eye, but at the moment of impending destruction of the enemy he chooses non-violence."

The thing about aikido is its a philosophical art.Therefore just like art in its purest form you cant not force it in the mind.I recommend 2*3 times a week to let the techniques absorb in and become one with it.If you train more than that yes you would probably have better ukemi and form but to advance is to let absorb in..

I am usually on the mat 3 - 5 times per week. I usually train no less than 2 hours per day.
I am now moving closer to my goal of being on the mat at least once per day for at least an hour.
Right now the days when I'm not on the mat, I spend that time for weapons kata, in addition to my physical conditioning regime 3 times per week.

The thing about aikido is its a philosophical art.Therefore just like art in its purest form you cant not force it in the mind.I recommend 2*3 times a week to let the techniques absorb in and become one with it.If you train more than that yes you would probably have better ukemi and form but to advance is to let absorb in..

The internalization comes from large number of repetitions and time. Practicing less for sure is not the path to better Aikido.

However I agree - three times a week is pretty good especially if you train hard. Your body needs time to recover and your mind to rest. Two times a week is enough to maintain your level and advance slowly. More than three and the benefit decreases but it still improves.

My personal view is you find a schedule that keeps your enthusiasm up and every know and then partake in short (ie. three month) bursts of intense training. Shugyo if you will.

I've been training five times a week (and sometimes more due to seminars) for the last four months and four times a week for a while before that. Class is for 1 - 1.5 hours each day but I'm usually there close to an hour early. During that time I stretch out and work on bokken and jo kata for 10-15 minutes (I don't have too much patience for weapons work, at least not yet), then train with whoever else is there early. Sometimes we play after class as well.
I am now in Alaska for the summer, far from a dojo, but have found that our regular warm-up routine is a good start to my morning.
I really miss Aikido and will be so excited to go back in August. However, like many of you have been saying, time is needed for everything to sink in. My sensei says he thinks my aikido will be better when I return for this reason. I have been training very intensely and certainly not immediately absorbing all I have learned.
Boy will it be good to get back on the mat though!
Gaia

4 days right now, 6 classes a week. Used to have 6 days a week, 8 classes. Current schedule is pretty good and is optimal for me in terms of absorption. 7-10 seminars each year help augment. Also like to visit other dojos and train-keeps you open.

Four days a week: seven hours of regular classes, three hours helping out with the older kids (which can be quite a workout in itself). This is the limit of what my dojo currently offers, but I think it's also a good level for me. If I train every day I get wiped out and hurt myself. Every other day is a lot better for me.

For a while I was doing half an hour at home every morning, but I had some knee problems and needed to take a break, and now it's hard to get the habit back. I do some weapons work at home probably 3 times a week.

"A pacifist is not really a pacifist if he is unable to make a choice between violence and non-violence. A true pacifist is able to kill or maim in the blink of an eye, but at the moment of impending destruction of the enemy he chooses non-violence."

Each week I am teaching two classes and training in one on the mat, and usually do weapons once at home as well. I think everyone here pretty much agrees that 3 times a week is best, 4 should be the maximum (unless you are training full-time). Of course you can meditate on the days off if you want!

I practice 6 or 7 days a week, one or two classes a day. I will be taking morning classes too, once school lets out. I was doing bokken cuts every night at home, too, but I got out of the habit. Otherwise, I don't practice at home at all.